Heiau

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Hale O Pi' Ilani Heiau, near Hāna on Maui

Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau

An illustration of a heiau at Kealakekua Bay at the time of James Cook's third voyage, by William Ellis.

A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. At least nine types of heiau existed, including heiau for treating the sick, for offering first fruits, for offering first catch, for offerings to start rain, or to stop rain, for human sacrifice and for success in war. Some consisted of simple earth terraces, while others were elaborately constructed stone platforms.

The heiau most commonly preserved are war temples of the later period of history (e.g. Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site). They are comprised of large stone platforms with various structures built upon them. The structures were used to house priests, sacred ceremonial drums, sacred items, and cult images representing the gods associated with that particular temple. There were also altars (Ahu) on which to offer sacrifices (plant, animal and human). The heiau were sacred places; only the kahuna (priests) and certain sacred ali'i (high chiefs) were allowed to enter.

The kapu or 'ai kapu system was abolished in 1819 by Liholiho, Kamehameha II. The abolition of the kapu system ended the use of heiau as places of worship and sacrifice. A period referred to as the 'Ai Noa or "free eating" followed. By the mid 1820s, Christianity had filled this religious void. All heiau were officially abandoned; most were destroyed over the years. Often they were broken up and plowed under to make way for fields of sugar cane. However, some of the families who were responsible for the heiau have continued the tradition of caring for them to this day.